TLM and Educational Technology

What to remember

• TLM (Teaching-Learning Material) is any object, picture, sound or tool that helps a teacher explain an idea and helps a child learn it. In English teaching, TLM serves the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing (LSRW).
• Good TLM is simple, low-cost, made from local material, linked to the lesson aim, and used at the right moment. It supports the teacher; it never replaces the teacher.
• Educational technology moves from chalk-and-board to audio, video and computer tools. The teacher must choose the tool for the learning aim, not the other way round.

Meaning and need of TLM

TLM means every aid used in the classroom to make learning clear, interesting and lasting. A child learns English as a second or third language. The child hears little English outside school. So the classroom must give a lot of meaningful exposure to the language. TLM gives this exposure.

Why TLM is needed:

• It makes an abstract word concrete (a picture of a "ladder" is better than a long explanation).
• It attracts and holds attention.
• It supports different learners: visual, auditory and kinaesthetic (learning by doing).
• It saves the time of the teacher.
• It helps retention, because many senses are used.
• It reduces the use of the mother tongue by showing the meaning directly.

A well-known idea behind TLM is Edgar Dale's "Cone of Experience". It places direct, hands-on experience at the base and verbal symbols (words only) at the top. The lower the level on the cone, the more concrete and memorable the learning. The idea is that learners remember more of what they do than of what they only hear or read.

Characteristics of good TLM

A good aid should be:

• relevant to the aim of the lesson and the age of the learner;
• simple, clear and large enough to be seen from the last bench;
• cheap and made from local, waste or easily available material;
• durable and safe for children;
• attractive, but not so colourful that it distracts;
• accurate in language (no spelling or grammar errors);
• flexible, so that it can be used for more than one activity;
• ready before the class begins and tested once by the teacher.

Types of TLM used in English teaching

Flash cards are small cards with a word, a picture or a sentence. They are held up for a short time to give quick recognition. They are useful for sight words, vocabulary revision and building sentences.

Word wall is a display area where new words are put up for the children to see again and again during the year.

Pocket chart holds sentence strips and word cards. Children can arrange them to make sentences.

Big books are large-size storybooks with big print and pictures. The teacher reads them aloud to the whole group, and children follow the print. They are used for shared reading in the primary classes.

Blackboard is the most common aid. Good use means neat large writing, a clear plan of the board, and no crowding. A part of the board should be kept for new words. The teacher should not talk while facing the board.

Classification by senses and by technology level

Educational technology

Educational technology means the use of tools, methods and processes to improve teaching and learning. It has two broad parts: hardware (machines) and software (content and methods). Some writers add a third idea, the systems approach: planning the objectives, the content, the method and the evaluation as one system.

Stages in the growth of tools in education:

• Oral and chalk-and-talk stage.
• Print stage: textbook and printed material.
• Audio-visual stage: radio, film, television.
• Computer and internet stage: multimedia, online learning, mobile learning.

Language laboratory: a room with audio equipment where each learner can listen to model speech, record their own voice and compare. It is used for pronunciation, stress, intonation and listening practice.

Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL): use of the computer for language practice such as drills, games, writing tools and dictionaries.

Multimedia: the use of text, picture, sound, animation and video together.

Mobile and online learning: use of phones, tablets, video lessons and educational apps. Teachers use these for listening material, story videos and self-study tasks. Schools in Andhra Pradesh have used digital classroom tools and interactive panels in the last few years. Check the latest official release for the exact status of any scheme.

Radio and television programmes: school broadcasts help in listening and pronunciation, especially where a trained English teacher is not available. Radio is cheap and reaches remote areas.

Overhead projector and LCD projector: they show enlarged material to a large group. The teacher faces the class, not the board.

Programmed learning: the content is divided into small steps. The learner responds to each step and gets immediate feedback. It follows the ideas of B.F. Skinner (operant conditioning). It is a self-paced method.

Principles for using TLM in the classroom

• 1. Prepare before use. Check the aid, the place, the light and the sound.
• 2. Show at the right time. Show the aid when it is needed in the lesson, then remove it so that it does not distract.
• 3. Involve the learners. Let children touch, arrange, speak and make. Do not let them only watch.
• 4. Use it for learning, not for decoration. Every aid should have a clear teaching purpose.
• 5. Follow up. After using an aid, ask questions or give a task to check learning.
• 6. Make with the children. Learner-made material gives ownership and language practice.
• 7. Keep the language level right. The language on the aid must match the learner's level.

Low-cost and no-cost TLM ideas

• Cut out pictures from old magazines and calendars and make picture cards.
• Make a story box or story bag with objects and ask children to tell a story.
• Make a class library from low-cost storybooks.
• Prepare a "word tree" with leaf cards.
• Use matchboxes, bottle caps and stones as counters in games.
• Use the local environment: leaves, fruit, vegetables, and market things.
• Use a "language corner" or "reading corner" in the room.
• Use newspaper cuttings, tickets, labels and posters as authentic reading material.

Comparison of common aids

Role of the teacher

The teacher selects, prepares, uses and evaluates the aid. The teacher also keeps simple aids in a "TLM bank" or "teaching aids corner" of the school so that other teachers can use them. The teacher should not depend on costly equipment. The best aid is the one that serves the objective at the least effort and cost. Equipment can fail, so a teacher should have a backup plan.

Exam traps

• TLM is not only "audio-visual aids". It also includes simple things like the blackboard, objects and games.
• Hardware is the machine; software is the programme or content. Do not reverse them.
• Flash card (short quick display) is different from word wall (long-term display).
• Realia means real objects; models are copies of real things.
• Language laboratory is for listening and pronunciation, not for teaching grammar rules in detail.
• Projected aids need light and screen; charts and models are non-projected.
• Radio gives only audio; television gives audio and visual.
• Big books are for shared reading by a group; storybooks are for individual reading.

One-liners

• 1. TLM stands for Teaching-Learning Material.
• 2. Edgar Dale's Cone of Experience puts direct experience at the base.
• 3. Flash cards help quick recognition of words.
• 4. A word wall displays new words for the whole year.
• 5. Realia are real objects used in teaching.
• 6. A language laboratory trains listening and pronunciation.
• 7. CALL means Computer-Assisted Language Learning.
• 8. Hardware means machines; software means programmes and content.
• 9. Programmed learning gives content in small steps with feedback.
• 10. Radio is an audio aid; television is an audio-visual aid.
• 11. Good TLM is low-cost, relevant and made from local material.
• 12. Big books are used for shared reading in primary classes.

Practice questions

1. TLM in the classroom stands for

   1. Textbook and Learning Material
   2. Teaching-Learning Material
   3. Teaching-Level Measure
   4. Teacher's Learning Method
   Answer

   B. Teaching-Learning Material

   TLM means Teaching-Learning Material.

2. Which of these is a non-projected aid?

   1. LCD projector
   2. Slide
   3. Flash card
   4. Film strip
   Answer

   C. Flash card

   Flash cards need no light or screen; the others are projected.

3. Real objects brought to class to teach words, such as a fruit or a tool, are called

   1. Flash cards
   2. Models
   3. Charts
   4. Realia
   Answer

   D. Realia

   Realia are real objects used in teaching.

4. A display area where new words are put up for the whole year is a

   1. Flannel board
   2. Word wall
   3. Pocket chart
   4. Big book
   Answer

   B. Word wall

   A word wall keeps new words in view for repeated exposure.

5. Which aid is purely an audio aid?

   1. Film
   2. Computer animation
   3. Television
   4. Radio
   Answer

   D. Radio

   Radio gives sound only.

6. A room with equipment where learners listen to model speech and record their own voice is a

   1. Reading corner
   2. Activity room
   3. Language laboratory
   4. Resource room
   Answer

   C. Language laboratory

   A language laboratory trains listening and pronunciation.

7. CALL stands for

   1. Communicative Assisted Language Learning
   2. Computer-Aided Learning Lab
   3. Computer-Assisted Language Learning
   4. Classroom-Aided Language Listening
   Answer

   C. Computer-Assisted Language Learning

   CALL means Computer-Assisted Language Learning.

8. In educational technology, a lesson CD or a video file is an example of

   1. Software
   2. Realia
   3. A projected aid
   4. Hardware
   Answer

   A. Software

   Software is the content or programme; hardware is the machine.

9. A large storybook with big print used by the teacher for shared reading is a

   1. Graded reader
   2. Big book
   3. Workbook
   4. Pocket chart
   Answer

   B. Big book

   Big books are used for shared reading in primary classes.

10. Edgar Dale's Cone of Experience places which type of learning at the base?

    1. Verbal symbols
    2. Visual symbols
    3. Lecture
    4. Direct, hands-on experience
    Answer

    D. Direct, hands-on experience

    Dale put concrete, direct experience at the base and words at the top.

11. Programmed learning is based on the ideas of

    1. Noam Chomsky
    2. Lev Vygotsky
    3. Jean Piaget
    4. B.F. Skinner
    Answer

    D. B.F. Skinner

    Programmed learning uses small steps and immediate feedback, from Skinner's operant conditioning.

12. Which is hardware?

    1. A projector
    2. A lesson video
    3. A story app
    4. A teaching method
    Answer

    A. A projector

    Hardware means the machine or equipment.

13. Small cards that show a word or picture for a short time for quick recognition are

    1. Wall charts
    2. Word walls
    3. Flash cards
    4. Posters
    Answer

    C. Flash cards

    Flash cards give quick recognition of words and pictures.

14. Which feature is the most important in choosing a teaching aid?

    1. Its cost
    2. Its relevance to the lesson objective
    3. Its bright colour
    4. Its size only
    Answer

    B. Its relevance to the lesson objective

    The aid must serve the learning aim.

15. A teacher uses an expensive video but it does not match the lesson aim. The best comment is that

    1. The aid is not relevant, so it is poor TLM
    2. The aid is good because it is costly
    3. The aid is good because it is modern
    4. The aid is good because children like videos
    Answer

    A. The aid is not relevant, so it is poor TLM

    Relevance to objective matters more than cost or novelty.

16. A teacher makes picture cards from old magazines. This is an example of

    1. Projected TLM
    2. Programmed learning
    3. Hardware
    4. Low-cost TLM
    Answer

    D. Low-cost TLM

    Using waste material to make aids is low-cost TLM.

17. Which step should a teacher take before using any aid in class?

    1. Ask children to bring it
    2. Check and try the aid beforehand
    3. Show it at the start and keep it on display
    4. Use it without a plan
    Answer

    B. Check and try the aid beforehand

    Preparation and a trial run avoid failure in class.

18. A teacher keeps a chart displayed throughout the lesson even after using it. What is the likely effect?

    1. It replaces the teacher
    2. It saves time
    3. It may distract learners
    4. It improves retention for sure
    Answer

    C. It may distract learners

    Aids should be shown at the right time and then removed.

19. A teacher wants to teach 'ladder' and 'bucket' to Class III. The best first choice is

    1. A grammar rule
    2. Writing the Telugu meaning
    3. Showing the real objects or their pictures
    4. A long explanation in English
    Answer

    C. Showing the real objects or their pictures

    Direct objects or pictures give meaning without translation.

20. To practise pronunciation and stress, the most suitable resource is

    1. A wall map
    2. Audio recordings and a language laboratory
    3. A chart of tenses
    4. A model of a house
    Answer

    B. Audio recordings and a language laboratory

    Audio resources let learners hear and compare speech.

21. Learner-made TLM is useful mainly because

    1. It removes the need for the teacher
    2. It is always better made
    3. It costs more
    4. It gives ownership and language practice
    Answer

    D. It gives ownership and language practice

    Making material gives children real use of language.

22. Which pair is correctly matched?

    1. Radio - audio aid
    2. Chart - projected aid
    3. Television - audio aid
    4. Slide - non-projected aid
    Answer

    A. Radio - audio aid

    Radio gives audio only; TV is audio-visual; charts are non-projected; slides are projected.

23. A teacher uses a story bag with small objects, and children tell a story from them. This builds mainly

    1. Spelling only
    2. Handwriting
    3. Speaking skill
    4. Map reading
    Answer

    C. Speaking skill

    Telling a story from objects develops oral language.

24. Which statement about the blackboard is best?

    1. It is the most commonly available aid and needs neat, planned use
    2. It is outdated and should not be used
    3. It can replace all other TLM
    4. It is a projected aid
    Answer

    A. It is the most commonly available aid and needs neat, planned use

    The blackboard is always available but must be used well.

25. The systems approach to educational technology means planning

    1. Objectives, content, method and evaluation as one system
    2. Only the equipment
    3. Only the textbook
    4. Only the time table
    Answer

    A. Objectives, content, method and evaluation as one system

    The systems approach joins all parts of teaching into one plan.

26. A learner listens to a recorded dialogue and repeats it line by line. The skill mainly practised is

    1. Silent reading only
    2. Handwriting
    3. Listening and speaking
    4. Map skills
    Answer

    C. Listening and speaking

    Hearing and repeating dialogue trains LS.

27. Which aid gives both sound and picture together?

    1. Flash card
    2. Video clip
    3. Word wall
    4. Radio
    Answer

    B. Video clip

    A video clip is audio-visual.

28. A pocket chart is mainly used for

    1. Recording sound
    2. Storing coins
    3. Showing maps
    4. Arranging word cards and sentence strips
    Answer

    D. Arranging word cards and sentence strips

    Children arrange cards in a chart to make sentences.

29. A school has no electricity. Which aid can still be used well?

    1. LCD projector
    2. Picture cards and charts
    3. Video lessons
    4. Computer lab
    Answer

    B. Picture cards and charts

    Charts and cards need no power.

30. Which of the following is a software resource for English teaching?

    1. A tablet
    2. A speaker
    3. A projector screen
    4. A language-learning app
    Answer

    D. A language-learning app

    Software is the programme or content.

31. Consider the statements about TLM. 1. Good TLM must always be costly and imported. 2. Good TLM should be relevant to the lesson aim.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Relevance matters; costly aids are not required.

32. Consider the statements about educational technology. 1. A language laboratory is mainly for teaching grammar rules. 2. Hardware means the machine, and software means the programme.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    A language laboratory is for listening and pronunciation.

33. Consider the statements about aids. 1. A projected aid needs light and a screen. 2. A chart is a projected aid.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Charts are non-projected.

34. Consider the statements about radio and television. 1. Radio is an audio aid. 2. Television is an audio-visual aid.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Radio gives sound only; TV gives sound and picture.

35. Consider the statements about flash cards and a word wall. 1. Both are used only for Class X. 2. A flash card is for a brief display; a word wall is for long display.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Both are used mostly in the primary classes, and the first statement is right.

36. Consider the statements about the use of aids. 1. The teacher should prepare and try an aid before use. 2. An aid should replace the teacher.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Aids support, not replace, the teacher.

37. Consider the statements about Dale's Cone of Experience. 1. Verbal symbols are at the base. 2. Direct experience is at the base.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Verbal symbols are at the top.

38. Consider the statements about CALL. 1. It uses the computer for language practice. 2. It does not use any software.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    CALL needs software and a computer.

39. Consider the statements about programmed learning. 1. It is always teacher-paced. 2. Content is given in small steps with immediate feedback.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    It is self-paced.

40. Consider the statements about big books. 1. They are used for shared reading. 2. They have small print for individual silent reading.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Big books have large print for group reading.

41. Match the aid with its main use. 1. Flash card 2. Language laboratory 3. Role play puppets

    1. 1 - map reading; 2 - pronunciation; 3 - dialogue and story
    2. 1 - sight words; 2 - map reading; 3 - spelling only
    3. 1 - sight words; 2 - pronunciation; 3 - dialogue and story
    4. 1 - grammar rules; 2 - dialogue; 3 - pronunciation
    Answer

    C. 1 - sight words; 2 - pronunciation; 3 - dialogue and story

    Flash cards give quick word recognition, a language lab trains pronunciation, and puppets support dialogue and story.

42. Match the item with its type. 1. Overhead projector 2. Hand puppet 3. Pocket chart

    1. 1 - audio aid; 2 - projected aid; 3 - model
    2. 1 - non-projected aid; 2 - audio aid; 3 - projected aid
    3. 1 - model; 2 - projected aid; 3 - audio aid
    4. 1 - projected aid; 2 - model; 3 - non-projected aid
    Answer

    D. 1 - projected aid; 2 - model; 3 - non-projected aid

    Projectors are projected; puppets are models; pocket charts are non-projected.

43. Consider the statements about real objects (realia). 1. They are available for every word in English. 2. They give direct meaning to nouns and actions.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Realia is not possible for every word, such as abstract words.

44. Consider the statements about low-cost TLM. 1. Local and waste material can be used. 2. Low-cost TLM cannot support language learning.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Low-cost aids can be very effective.

45. Which is a limitation of the radio as a classroom aid?

    1. It cannot give sound
    2. It needs a screen
    3. It needs a projector
    4. It gives no picture and has a fixed timing
    Answer

    D. It gives no picture and has a fixed timing

    Radio has only sound and fixed broadcast time.